Feeling Blessed!

Those of you who know me, know how much Tom and I love our church family. We've been blessed by the creativity of our staff in the presentation of the Gospel, and the church announcements. We've had our Pastor featured in videoettes for GOC. Now our staff, mainly Jeff Baumgardner, our minister of music and media has a new creation under his belt. And here for you is the first installment of: The Church Office!

In loving memory...

I lost a dear friend to cancer last year on this date. Please keep the Fisher family in your prayers as they mark this milestone.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well, here it is

a little over a month since my last post. BAH! I used to be good at blogging, but life still seems to be getting in my way!

Let me see if I can give a run down on what's up.

Kayla started college at a local JC in August. She's working very hard on getting good grades and that's all I can ask.

Mikaija is moving along with school, although last week was a bummer due to her having a really bad cold.

We have been very active with our Sunday School class. I've started a website just for us. We've been camping, had potlucks, and been to the beach! All since mid August!

AWANA has restarted, GEMS is still going strong. New comtemporary service on Sunday morning has been in full swing for about a month now. Jeff is doing a MARVELOUS job of all that has been laid before him with both the choir and the praise band. Pastor's preaching is great as always, although I sense a fire burning that may have been running a little low for awhile. It's good to see him renewed and hitting everything hard.

We bought an old Toyota Camry for Kayla and I to share. At some point we will give it to her, but for now, we share. She gets her drivers license next month, so I'm sure it won't be long till she's out on the open road! ;-)

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I don't know if I mentioned that I've been on the committee for my current class reunion. We are doing a combined reunion with the classes of 76, 77, and 78!(I'm 79) I'm very excited, as I loved High School, even with all that High School was. I love reunions too. This is the third one I've had the pleasure of helping set up. I've set up a website for my class, and I've been in touch with several people who will be there. I have one friend that I've reconnected with and the coolest part is not only is she a sister Bruin, but she is a sister in Christ! I've met several former school mates that are also siblings in the Lord, and that makes me smile. Not only will we have class reunions here on earth, but we will have a reunion in Heaven as well! Gives me goose bumps.

Well, I guess I'd better go dig up some disco songs on youtube or itunes so I can get my groove on at the reunion. (I know, I'm a heathen!)

I'm a slacker...

what can I say?

August has been busy, thus far. Movie nights at church(lots of people sitting under the California stars watching a movie), skating parties, potlucks, camping trips, etc.

Our Sunday school class had a leadership meeting a couple of weeks ago, and that went well. Unity was a key element at the meeting, and its rejuvenated our class. I started a website for our class. Yes, we have had other sites, but this one is interactive, and has a calendar, etc. Hoping to get the class more 'connected'.

Our class also had it's annual trek to the local mountains for a campout. We had 11 families this time. The kids had a blast playing flashlight tag, cards and dominos. The Cyclin' Dudes had their annual ride around the lake. Of course we had the s'mores around the fire, as well. This year we even had chocolate marshmellows! We also tried making s'mores with chocolate chip cookies and Reese's cups.

The Saturday of our campout was different, since a couple of our families & Mikaija went down the hill to a farewell party for the kid that has been the intern for middle school. This young man and Nick had grown up in chruch together, and it's great to see how much he has grown up and is wanting to serve God. Saturday was a quiet day of rest, which I needed.

The Sunday of our campout was promotion Sunday, and since we weren't here, Mikaija didn't have a chance to see what it will be like without Jason, Heather or Andrew. I'm sure she'll adjust, but she is really missing Heather, who was her Sunday school teacher for most of middle school.

Kayla started at our local JC on Monday! YIKES! It's hard to believe I have three, count them, three adult children.

I haven't heard anything from Kris since the end of May.

Nick emailed us a couple of days ago to tell us that Grace was leaving this week, and that he is done, and papers will be filed. Makes me sad. I know that Nick has done everything he was supposed to do to keep it together, but she just isn't budging.

Mikaija will begin her studies in September. This week she had GEMS, tomorrow it's Team Kid (she's a leader), and Thursday she will be auditioning for the Christmas musical at church.

Tom is oncall this week for work, which means his schedule is unpredictable.

I'm working on getting the office/schoolroom together. Kristopher's old room has been painted, and we are moving the comptuers and school stuff in there. It's going to be a great place, once it's done.

Okay, I need to get to bed. I promise to post more often.

I know! I know!

Sorry to have been so MIA lately! Lots of stuff going on.

Our 4th of July was very quiet. Tom's mom was with her son in northern CA and the rest of the family did their own thing. It was kind of nice to have a quiet day. As some of you know, it's the anniversary of Tom's dad's passing. To honor Tom's dad, we have been in the Highland Parade for the passed few years. Unfortunately our Model A, which had belonged to Trini, has some issues, so we weren't able to drive it in the parade. Thankfully, Karl, our friend allowed us to drive one of his many classic cars, so we could carry on our tradition. Tom and Mikaija climbed on the roof of our house to watch the fireworks from around our valley.

For Tom and I the anniversary of Trini's passing is a bittersweet one. We are excited and happy to know that Tom led his dad to Christ the Friday evening before he passed, but we miss his wisdom and guidance as well. We were blessed that our children knew their grandpa in ways that neither Tom or I knew ours. I'm thankful for the legacy that Trini left for us.

We celebrated our 24th anniversary in Big Bear this year. I was sick the entire time we were there. I did manage to be able to walk around the village and share some time with Tom, but mostly I slept. Part of it, I'm sure was that my body just couldn't take any more stress, and it finally just let loose. When we got home, I had to see my doctor and be put on steroids (again)to get my asthma under control. (I hate asthma, I do)

I don't know if I mentioned it, but about a month ago, Tom and I had physicals, and my doctor put me on Elavil for my FMS and anxiety. I've fought long and hard against drugs for my FMS, but with all that is going on, it's honestly been a godsend. My right side was fighting me way too much NOT to try something. And I wasn't sleeping much. The elavil has helped with all of that.

VBS was a busy week! I worked in background checks, and that was a big job this year! Hopefully, next year won't be so bad.

So there you pretty much have our July.

It's August already and that means another busy month:

Our Sunday school class is going through some changes, which are good! I've started a new website for our class, and that along with the homeschooling group site I manage, I'll be busy with that.

We go camping with our class on Aug. 15th! YAY! Last year we had a blast, and I expect this year to be more of the same.

Kayla starts college at a local JC on the 18th!

Mikaija starts her school year on Sept 3.

We are continuing the process of moving the office from upstairs to Kristopher's old room. (We have painted that room and it looks SO nice!)

Greg Laurie on the passing of his son, Christopher

The Pledge Of Alligence by Red Skelton

Sunday morning, during our service, the pastor preaching mentioned this during his sermon. I'd like to share it.

The songs of summer...

Mikaija and two of her girlies were in the back seat of the van, and I had my mp3 player hooked up through the radio. Mikaija's friend, Noelle, listens to a wide range of musical styles, as we do. Anyway, I love my oldies...you know, the songs that are the soundtrack to my life. Anyway, I was playing the Cowsills and "Hair" happened to be playing. These girls had me cracking up because they were in the back seat singing and rocking out to this 'OLD' song. Singing at the TOP of their lungs, so that the people in the car next to me could hear them. Of course the windows are tinted, so the only person they SAW was me! (Let's not mention the fact that *I* was singing loudly as well!) Anyway, I'll be sure and pay Mikaija back the next time we are in the store and an 'OLD' song comes on that I know all the words to...it's my job!

LOVE THIS!!!

The Mountain Of God

I have a lot of emotional stuff going on. You know conflicting feelings that I'm having a hard time coming to terms with. Anyway, I know God has not forsaken me, and for whatever His purpose is, I have to go through all of this. This song has been a comfort to me in times past, and it still comforts me now:

Maria Sue Chapman Memorial

Prayers for Steven Curtis Chapman and family!

My heart and prayers go out to Steven Curtis Chapman and his family in the tragic loss of their 5 year old daughter.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/22/chapman.daughter.ap/index.html

One of the very first Christian albums I purchased was The Great Adventure and it has a song called Maria on it.

You Are Holy

Busy Weekend and Other Musings!

Friday night kicked off the weekend with the AWANA leaders dinner. It was nice to not have to cook.

Saturday morning, Mikaija, Tom and I worked the Upward snack bar. After I dropped Mikaija off to help set up (Tom met us there, since he rode his bike out there), I left to hit Starbucks to pick up the coffee they had donated. Not only was Starbucks in SHOCK that we were to get donated coffee, but I swear they had to go pick the beans for our 5 gallons. Some how communication had broken down between the manager and the person making the coffee arrangements, and I got caught in the middle. The manager, though, was very nice and took care of us. After coffee, I had to pick up the donuts, and that took a little bit more time. FINALLY I get to the snack bar. We sold tons of snow cones, water, and sodas! Yes, it had to be atleast 100 degrees by the time we ended our day. We got home about 1:00 p.m. and crashed. Now, it's hot out and Mikaija and I have to bake her cake for the annual cake auction at church. So we take a field trip to Michaels to get a cake board and a box. Her cake gets baked, and decorated. Then it's bed time.

Sunday morning, we drop the girls at the fellowship hall, and head over to tend to baptisim. No one for first hour, so we hit the book store to feed our coffee addiction, and then Sunday School, then Worship. Powerful music and message. We got out to lunch, come home for a few minutes, then Mikaija and I head back to church to help transform the fellowship hall for our GEMS Soda Pop Shop Diner. A great time was had by all, and I have a few pictures to share. On the HEELS and I do mean HEELS of that, we retransform the fellowship hall back to it's original state so the cake auction can take place. Mikiaja's cake went for $110! Yeah, we bought it, as after all I couldn't let it go for less than $100. One HUGE cake went for $600 which is the record thus far! I'll share pictures of Mikaija's Third Place iPOD cake later.

I woke up this morning to the smell of coffee brewing, but my body wouldn't move. LOL When I finally got up, Tom was up and had made coffee, my carrot apple juice, and he and the girls had a card about 10X10 in my place at the table. Card has a picture of a poodle on the couch with gifts on the front, and it says, "Happy Birthday" and on the inside there are pictures of different dogs and says, "from the whole mutt-ley crew!" and yes, it plays "Who Let the Dogs Out!" (Tom has a fascination with those musical cards from Hallmark). We are heading out to see Prince Caspian later this morning. Oh and my gift from Tom is a Cricut.

This evening, not only have the AWANA awards ceremony, but I have a mandatory homeschool meeting.

But right now. This very minute? I'm going to soak the soreness out of my body, and I dare anyone to try and stop me!

Mother's Day and other updates

My day started out very nice. I got up to find a gift bag in my place at the dining table. Tom got me a Zen mp3 player. Cool gadget. Not only does it play mp3's but it has an FM radio, and it can play movies and show digi pics. The girls got me a card and Mikaija gave me a gift card to Catherine's. Kayla is working on a watercolor for me. I got a phone call from Nick. We had lunch at In-N-Out, and went to get the whole house fan that we have been wanting since we moved in here.

Now, for the bad part of my day. We came home from church to find Kristopher's room cleared out and a note. He did leave me an angel bear with a heart in it's hands that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." He also left us a note, telling us he is with a school friend, and not to try to contact him, as he won't be answering his phone. He didn't even tell Amber...

And so that was my Mother's Day.


On Monday, I got a text message from Kris telling me that he is okay, not to worry and that he would be calling Amber. We did see him working, so she went over to drop off his cell phone charger, but I haven't heard from Amber since.


Tom and I have decided to make Kristopher's room a computer/scrapbooking room/guest room. I've been busy packing up what little stuff he left, so we can get in there to prime the walls this weekend, then paint next week. The walls will be going from the dark green to the foam color we have in the dining room, and we will do all the trim in white. Since I already have the paint, this is of no extra cost to us, and it gets the extra paint out from under foot. The computer desks will go around the perimeter of the room, and we will be purchasing a new air mattress that can be used in the middle of the desks if need be. When we are finished with this, then we will work on making the upstairs room a more suitable guest room for couples that come to stay with us.

I've decided to move on. I'm NOT going to sit and whine about Kris' choice. It was his to make afterall. In his note to us he said things have to change. I'm taking his word on that, and there will be changes he doesn't see coming. The biggest one is that there will be no turning back!

So, my break is over and I need to get more stuff packed up.

Updates, again:

Been MIA, sorry!

Weight Loss Journey

I'm down 4 pounds, which is a start! I'll be looking at my diet, and making changes so that the working out and my food intake are working together.


Kris & Amber
They plan on marrying in Dec of 2009, but in the mean time Amber is moving from our upstairs to a home belonging to her uncle. She will be house-sitting, so she won't be paying rent or utilities. This is an amazing anwswer to prayer.

Kayla

She graduates from high school on the 29th. Boy, do I feel old.

Mikaija

She's having fun helping with the snack bar at Upwards, and finsihing up Awana and her school year.

Nick

Continued prayers are need here for both Nick and Grace. No significant changes, except that Grace has been to talk to a counselor.

Updates:

Tom came in 5th in his age group! (Kristopher said, "the old man's group", HA I got news for him, Tom could run, ride, and swim circles around Kristopher in his current state) Tom's looking forward to another challenge. :-)

I've been to the gym every day this week! Go me! I haven't lost any thing, but I feel better, and that is the most important thing. I losing will come. I'm starting a way of eating this week, so I know it will come.

From an email

This came in my email this morning, and I felt the need to share it. May it bless you.



A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN


17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote...' It also was the last.





Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.





The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'





Brian's Essay: The Room...


In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.





This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.





A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at ' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.





Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.





When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.





When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.





I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it..





Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.





And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.





And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.





No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.





He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.





Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.





He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.





'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. '-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?

This past week

has had it's ups and downs.

Sunday: Amber was baptised on Sunday! Whoohoo! (Amber is Kristopher's fiance).

Monday: My mom had a hysterectomy. All is well no cancer and she is doing okay. My Mother-in-law left for her "Silk and Spices" cruise. She will hit Singapore, Bangkok, Muscat, and several places in India before she's done.


Wednesday: We went to see "Expelled" with some of our Sunday School class. Very interesting and well done.

Thursday: We got very sad and disturbing news regarding our son Nick, and his marriage situation. Please pray that God convicts Grace, and restores her to Him and to Nick. Nick does have a wonderful support system around him.

Friday: I had a massage, and was very suprised at how just a few days of working out have changed how my muscles react to the massage. I like it, since I wasn't coming up off Shelley's table.

Saturday: We went to Pirates Dinner Theatre with our homeschool group. Lots of fun, and much dazzlement by the acrobats. Mikaija was asked to help put up flags during the contest for first mate.

and we are at today: As I type this, Tom is in a Triathalon! Yep, Skinny Boy (as Matt has dubbed him), is doing a Tri. He should be done in plenty of time for Sunday School.

Soreness...

I'm sore! I joined the local gym, and tonight I'm feeling it. Not as bad as I thought I would, but muscles are letting me know they are 'there'. This gym is pretty nice, and very affordable. I was going to join a woman's only gym, but it was much more expensive, and several members of my church family are members of this gym. Too bad they don't offer a discount for church family. ;-) Anyway, I know it sounds crazy, but I can feel a difference in my 'kinks' as it were. I'll know for certain on Friday when I see Shelley for a massage. Anyway, this is a journey I'd been thinking about for awhile, I've finally decided to take the step!